Central Valley farmers are the backbone of our nation’s agricultural industry, but they continue to face serious challenges finding and retaining a reliable workforce. The current H-2A program doesn't meet the labor needs of many producers, which is why I reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act this week. This bipartisan bill updates the H-2A agricultural guest worker program and is a compromise solution that provides needed stability for farmers and farmworkers while securing our food supply chain. Food security is national security, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find long-term solutions that support our farmers and farmworkers.

Earlier this week, I questioned Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during a House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture hearing. I spoke about supporting our producers through targeting unfair trading practices by foreign nations and ensuring disaster assistance is delivered fairly and without delay. I also highlighted the urgent need for immigration reform to support the Valley’s agricultural labor force, and raised concerns about the status of previously allocated funds for Regional Conservation Partnership Programs that help dairy farmers adopt sustainable practices without compromising productivity. Finally, I stressed the importance of bolstering USDA county Farm Service Agency offices, and reaffirmed my commitment to working with both USDA and the Government Services Administration to keep this critical agency accessible to Bakersfield and the entire region. I appreciate Secretary Rollins’ time and look forward to working closely with her to deliver real solutions for these critical issues.

I joined my congressional colleagues this week to reintroduce the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act. This bipartisan bill would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify that a permit is not required to use fire retardant to fight wildfires. California suffers from thousands of wildfires each year, and taking fire retardant away from the U.S. Forest Service is reckless. This bill ensures the heroes fighting wildfires have every tool at their disposal to minimize damage to our forests, homes, and businesses. I'm proud to take a stand to prioritize safety and common sense over extreme environmental policies.

In the Central Valley and rural communities across America, families and businesses depend on the Postal Service. Too often, deliveries are delayed because the USPS lacks the resources to modernize, which is why I reintroduced the FAIR Fleets Act. This bipartisan bill gives USPS the tools to upgrade its aging fleet with more fuel-efficient vehicles—improving reliability and reducing costs—to ensure people receive dependable mail services no matter where they live.

The Central Valley is leading the way in renewable energy production, and our communities deserve policies that provide stability and certainty for the future. I introduced the Certainty for Our Energy Future Act to preserve the clean energy tax credits farmers and energy producers rely on, while phasing out long-term subsidies for technologies that can now stand on their own. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to expand domestic energy production and keep the door open for new technologies to grow and compete.

Our Central Valley police departments continue to face staffing shortages, and we need real solutions to support the people who put their lives on the line to keep us safe. This week, I reintroduced the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act to help address this issue. This bipartisan bill aims to address the nationwide police staffing shortages by making it easier for parents to enter the field. By making childcare more accessible for officers working long, irregular hours, this bipartisan bill reduces a major barrier for working parents in law enforcement and helps improve public safety in our communities.

Today, I was proud to announce the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in California’s 22nd Congressional District. Congratulations to Lauren Newkirk of East Bakersfield High School on her winning entry, and thank you to all the talented students throughout California’s 22nd Congressional District who submitted their art. Lauren’s entry, Free Tickets, is an impressive depiction of the Fox Theater and is a great representation of our region’s character. I look forward to seeing Lauren's painting every time I walk through the Capitol.

While I was in Washington this week, Team Valadao was out in the Valley connecting with the community. My staff was honored to present certificates at the grand opening of the Kern Arts Council, hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. They also joined the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce at the Valley Center for the Blind, where they saw firsthand how this organization helps individuals live independently with confidence and dignity. At the Bakersfield College Arvin Library Education Center, my team presented a certificate during a special dedication ceremony for Dr. James Clark Young, honoring his impact on the Arvin community. They also celebrated local achievements, including honoring Judith Gomez as the Edison Scholar of the Year, and recognizing Community Action Month at the CAPK office. Team Valadao joined the Porterville Unified School District and VIA for the launch of a new transit program, bringing clean, reliable transportation to students in need. My team was proud to attend the Tulare County Peace Officer Memorial Ceremony to pay respects to fallen law enforcement. They also enjoyed the Kings County Employee Recognition BBQ and attend the KCSOS Education Champions of the Year Dinner, recognizing some of our region’s finest educators. Finally, they stopped by Caring Corner Day Care Center to celebrate their dedicated staff during Staff Appreciation Week. I’m proud of the work my staff continues to do to serve our communities.

Trying to get an answer from a federal agency can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you ever need help navigating a federal agency, you can visit my website or call my Hanford office at (559) 460-6070. My team is ready to assist you!

Tratar de obtener una respuesta de una agencia federal a menudo puede ser un proceso frustrante y que requiere mucho tiempo. Si alguna vez necesita ayuda con una agencia federal, puede visitar mi sitio de web aquí o llamar a mi oficina de Hanford al (559) 460-6070. ¡Mi equipo está listo para ayudarte!

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